An older forum could look active, but it could also come across as being dead. You could just archive/delete all the posts, and go from there, of course.

I would have to say the older forum. It could draw in the older members from there, they may be missing that solitude. But a newer forum...well, you'd struggle with getting new members. Honestly, newer forums don't make it.

Thanks for the inputs sofar

Depends on how old. Over a year? Start over. You can use the same name, etc. But the forum needs a fresh start. If it died recently, then maybe you could start again. Drawing in old members like Kay said.

Ran from 2004 to 2006. Late in 2006 is stop. Had close 200 members